Hopefully this is the correct forum for this.... I've been using the tech article and Vader's excellent post on tearing down the steering column so I can tighten the tilt mechanism bolts. And naturally, I've run into problems.... so I have three questions: 1. Upper bearing in steering column. Mine is a simple plastic hoop with little ball bearings poked thru holes in the plastic band. And naturally some fell out of the band when I pulled it off the shaft. Is this "normal"? Seems like a pretty rinky-dink kind of bearing if it is.... 2. The spring cap that's supposed to be removed before pulling the two pivot pins - mine seems to be "stuck". Directions say to stick a #2 Philips into the rectangular hole, press down, and turn to release this cap. Well, I've pushed hard enough to have the Philips "X" showing in the perimeter of the rectangular hole, and this plug is NOT moving inward at all. I even took a socket and tried to use a hammer to break it loose, but no movement. Are we sure this is the correct way to do this on a 91 Firebird? 3. Since I was having trouble getting the spring cap off, I decided to go ahead and try to pull the two pivot pins. Was thinking maybe I could see what the deal was once I got the part off. Well, one pin came out fairly easily. But I've stripped two bolts where the nut is turning on them trying to get the other pin to come loose. Still in there, and rather solidly I'm afraid. Any helpful hints on getting this pivot pin out? I've also bent 2 bolts trying to pull it out using pliers.... Sure would appreciate some idea or suggestions on this!!!!

No help/ideas?

1.I dont think the ballbearing should fall out.The bearing ring may be broken.Inspect it & replace if needed. 2.That cap shouldnt be that difficult to remove try tilting the column all the way up.If you havent done this already. 3."LESLIE" tools makes a pivot pin remover for this column.You may be having trouble removing it beacause the tilt spring is still in place. This is about all i can offer.Even though ive done this job a couple of times.Never ran into these problems.

I've got the pivot pins out, but darned if I can get that spring cap off..... and I probably need to so I can re-assemble everything.

That sucks that you are having problems vern. But make sure to take notes so you can help me do mine in the near future. My tilt is starting to act up on me.

hi there mate im in aussie and just picked up an 86 Z28 and i have the same ball bearing problem as you my steerwheel was just wobbling on the ballbearings so i pulled them out and now i want to replace them ,and do you think i can find a place that sells them, hell no specially here in aussie. i rang a place in the states to see if he could help me out and he said he,d never heard of anyone replacing the bearings in his 31 years of service dealing in camaro parts, he recomended me buying the whole column at 375usd. Bit of a joke really, well have you had any luck since your drama ,i hope so,and if so , i would really appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction on getting those bearings heres my email doom1973@live.com.au. my names adam

I believe the column bearings are the same from 69 or 70 and up. I found this place that lists them, but I'm sure there are plenty of suppliers out there considering how often people bust the column to steal these GM cars.

http://stolenandrecovered.com/parts2/gm1.php

The spring cap can be a pain if the grease in there has hardened up. I would tilt the column all the way up like 84 1LE said, maybe hit the cap with some WD40 or some solvent. When I did mine I had to push really hard, I had a wide handled philips screwdriver and mechanics gloves and it still hurt my hand.

Oh yeah, when you get to the inverted Torx bolts at the bottom, don't forget the red locktite.

Welcome to TGO, Doom. You may find the following link generally useful:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/su...-steering.html (How to: Tighten tilt steering w/pictures)

JamesC